The Village
Still nighttime
After minutes of walking, the ponies, the cricket, the dragon and the puppet reached the village and ran through the streets back to Geppetto’s.
“Now, ah hope you all learned your lesson,” Applejack said.
“We sure did, Applejack,” Pinocchio assured.
“We’ll never talk to strangers again,” Tender said.
“Do you Pinkie Promise?” Pinkie asked.
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Apple Bloom and Tender said in unison.
To demonstrate, they literally crossed their hearts, waved their hooves and put a hoof over one eye as Pinocchio watched.
“You too, Pinoke,” Pinkie said.
"Okay," Pinocchio nodded.
It took a couple tries, but Pinocchio managed the same thing with his hands.
“Nothing can stop us now,” He said, determined. “We’ll make good this time.”
“You’d better,” Applejack said.
“I will,” Pinocchio said.
“Me too,” Tender said.
“And me too,” Apple Bloom said. “We’re going to school.”
“That’s the stuff, kids,” Jiminy said, gliding with his umbrella.
“I’d rather be smart than be an actor,” Pinocchio said.
“Same here,” Apple Bloom nodded.
“Now you’re talkin’!” Twilight said, excitedly.
Everybody and every pony faced Twilight Sparkle, who realized she said it very loud and blushed.
“Excuse me.”
“You’ll be a real boy in no time, dear Pinocchio,” Rarity assures.
“Come on, slowpokes,” Jiminy beckoned. “I’ll race you home.”
“On it!” Rainbow said, smiling.
They all burst into a run with Rainbow, Pinkie and Jiminy taking the lead, Applejack bursting after them, followed by Twilight, Rarity, Spike and even Fluttershy. Pinocchio and the two foals were far behind, but they tried to keep up. Suddenly, a can grabs Pinocchio’s pants as the puppet kept running without getting close to home. The two foals skid to a halt, turned around and saw what happened.
“Well, well, children,” A familiar voice said. “What’s your rush?”
“I gotta beat Jiminy and the others home,” Pinocchio said, turning around. “Oh, hello.”
By the time Apple Bloom and Tender joined their friend, their eyes widen. It was none other than Honest John.
“Oh no,” Tender said, frowning.
“Um, Pinoke?” Apple Bloom asked, watching the puppet run.
“Well, how are the great actors?” The fox asked.
The fox moved his feet too, to appear he was running besides Pinocchio.
“We don’t wanna be actors,” Apple Bloom said. “Stromboli was terrible!”
“He was?” The sly fox acted, like he didn’t know their situation.
As for who was holding the cane, it was that dimwitted cat, Gideon, who checked his nails while doing it.
“Yeah, he locked us in a bird cage,” Pinocchio added.
“And he threatened to eat us for dinner!” Tender said, glaring.
“He did?” John acted innocently.
“Uh-huh, but we learned our lesson,” Pinocchio said.
“We’re going—” Apple Bloom began.
“Oh, you poor, poor things,” Honest John interrupted. “To experience such travesty, you must be nervous wrecks.”
But then, the fox’s eyes widen, and he stopped Pinocchio from running.
“That’s it, you are nervous wrecks!"
“We’re completely fine!” Apple Bloom argued, stomping her hoof. “Our frie—”
“Now, now, child,” Honest John interrupted. “We need to be sure.”
The fox cleared his throat, while putting on a pair of glasses on his nose.
“We must diagnose this case at once. Quick Doctor, your notebook.”
Gideon grabbed a notebook and pencil. He licked the tip of the pencil to make it write better, ready to write anything Honest John says.
“Bless my soul,” The fox examined.
He checked each of the children’s wrists, while examining his pocket watch.
“Hmm… Mm-hmm… My, my. Just as I thought. A slight touch of monetary complications with bucolic semi-lunar contraptions of the flying trapezes.”
“What is that?” Tender asked.
“Oh, I hope I’m wrong unless we know the other symptoms,” Honest John said.
When the cat heard all that, he immediately started writing. Meanwhile, the fox placed his glasses against Pinocchio’s tongue while peering inside his mouth.
“Mm-hmm… Say ‘hippopotamus.’”
“Hi-ho-hotamus,” Pinocchio said.
The fox did the same with Apple Bloom and Tender Taps, and like Pinocchio the glasses against their tongue made it difficult to articulate.
“I knew it!” Honest John concluded, acting like a real doctor. “Compound transmission of the pandemonium with percussion and spasmodic frantic disintegration.”
The cat kept writing, even writing in the air and ended it with a dot.
“Close your eyes,” The fox instructed the children. “What do you see?”
“Nothing,” They all said in unison.
Then the fox placed a handkerchief with red spots in front of their faces.
“Open them. Now what do you see?”
They all open their eyes and see the handkerchief.
“Spots,” Pinocchio said.
“Aha!” Honest John said.
“Ah only see a handkerchief with spots,” Apple Bloom said.
“Me too!” Tender nodded.
“Maybe you can see the handkerchief, but Pinocchio can’t,” Honest John replied. “Now that heart.”
The fox lifted the puppet’s shirt, listening to his heart… If he has one. He even listened to those of the foals. And then, some knocking sound is heard.
The sounds were caused by his cane which he used to knock against a window door, a bottle and a water can. It was as if he was making music.
“A palpitating syncopation of the killer-diller, with the wicky-wacky stomping of the floy-joy!” Honest John declared.
The cat danced in a silly way, till Honest John knocked his head with his cane. The fox grabbed the notebook off his partner’s grasp.
“Quick Doctor, that report,” Honest John said.
He eyed the notebook, which contained nothing but doodles, as if made by a child. Or in this case, a cat.
“Ooh, this makes it perfectly clear! Dear children, you are allergic.”
“Allergic?” Pinocchio said, who looked really sick.
“Yes,” The fox said.
“To what?” Apple Bloom asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.
“Lots of things, but too many to name,” Honest John said. “And there is only one cure: A vacation to Pleasure Island!”
Honest John secretly winked to his partner, who quietly giggled. The foals and puppet were rightfully confused.
“Pleasure Island?” The foals and puppet asked, in unison.
“Yes, that happy land of carefree boys where every day is a holiday!” Honest John declared.
He danced around the children joyfully, while Gideon used his cane like a flute.
“Well, that’s real nice, but…” Tender Taps began.
“But we can’t go,” Pinocchio said, who started to walk away. “We—”
The three were about to leave when Honest John turned them back around, while Gideon prepared his mallet behind his back.
“Why, of course you can go,” Honest John insists, turning to Apple Bloom. “Even girls, like you, are allowed.”
“But you said, ‘Pleasure Island is a happy land of carefree boys’,” Apple Bloom points out.
“We can make a small exception just this once. After all, I'm emancipated,” Honest John assures. “I’m giving you my tickets.”
With a flick of his hand, three ‘ace of spades’ cards appear which he gave to each child.
“Here,” Honest John offered. “One for you, and one for you, and especially for you, Apple Bloom.”
“Uh?” Apple Bloom said, staring at the card.
“Thanks!” Pinocchio said. “But we—”
“Oh, tut-tut-tut-tut, I insist!” Honest John said.
“But we promised our friends!” Tender Taps argues.
“Your health comes first, young man. Come, the coach departs at midnight.”
The fox and Gideon lifted the children by their arms. Apple Bloom next to Honest John, Tender next to Gideon and Pinocchio between the con men. And suddenly, the fox started singing again as they went on their way.
While the fox kept singing, Jiminy and his Equestrian friends were looking for the kids.
“Pinoke!” Jiminy called.
“Apple Bloom!” Applejack called.
“Tender Taps!” Twilight called.
“Oh, kids?!” Jiminy called again.
“Where are they now?” Rainbow asked.
“They didn’t lose their way, did they?” Fluttershy asked, nervously.
“Children!” Rarity called.
“Now where do you suppose they—Huh?” Jiminy said, seeing what happened.
Before his eyes, Jiminy Cricket witnessed the fox and cat returning and taking the children.
“What is it, Jiminy?” Applejack asked, facing his direction. “Oh no! Not again!”
“What’s going on?” Spike asked, the rest following.
“It’s that fox and cat again!” Applejack pointed out. “They took the children!”
“But that means…” Pinkie began.
Suddenly, the pink party pony gave a loud gasp. Her eye began to twitch, as she tries to hold her breath, as if she were about to explode. The ponies and dragon stepped back as far away as possible.
“What’s going on with her?” Jiminy asked.
“You don’t wanna know,” Applejack warned, grabbing the cricket. “Come here!”
Before Jiminy can argue, steam burst from Pinkie’s ears.
“NOPONY BREAKS A PINKIE PROMISE!” She shouts, in a demonic voice.
Next thing they know, Pinkie bursts after the animals and the kids as everyone breaks into a run after her.
“Pinkie, wait for us!” Rainbow shouts.
“Pinocchio! Hey! Come back!” Jiminy called.
(Pause music at 1:08)
The Village
Two hours earlier
Meanwhile, everything was quiet and not a sound to be heard. Just then, three familiar figures gathered in the middle of the town.
“This is the perfect spot, girls,” Adagio observed. “Time to work our magic.”
“So only boys, huh?” Aria asked.
“Maybe a few girls too,” Adagio said. “But mostly boys.”
“This will be easy as pie,” Aria said, cracking her neck.
“Actually, I love tacos, but okay,” Sonata said, innocently. “Ooh, I know how to lure them out!”
“Really?” Adagio said. “Then be my guest.”
“With pleasure,” Sonata stepped forward.
Clearing her throat and taking a deep breath, Sonata began to sing.
(Choose: This one or this one)
Suddenly, a few seconds in the song, the doors of the houses open as little boys emerged. Sonata was about to sing further until Adagio stopped her. The spell on the boys faded, and suddenly they were curious as to what they were doing outside.
“Hey, I’m not finished yet!” Sonata pouted.
“It’s not bad,” Adagio assures. “But how about we try something else? We want to get these boys to an island of fun, right?”
“Except the fun won’t last very long,” Aria said, smiling evilly.
“Exactly!” Adagio nodded. “We got to let these boys invested in fun without them knowing the danger. Follow my lead, girls.”
Adagio approached the boys, who faced the strange woman curiously.
“Dear boys,” She began, catching their attention. “Aren’t you all bored listening to silly words and warnings from your parents?”
The question made the boys talk amongst each other, as Adagio continued.
“Don’t you know there’s a better place in this big world? Because… We do!”
Suddenly, the children got more interested in the subject.
“I know an island in the ocean, a paradise where every day is a party,” Adagio laughed. “Where you can play, and eat, and drink as much as your little heart desires. And of course, all for free!”
Now the kids were more excited to hear this.
“Are there any schools there?” One boy asked.
“Schools? Hah!” Adagio laughed. “No, dear child. There are no schools there. No tyrannical teachers or parents. No orphanages where you have to eat disgusting chunky porridge every day.”
She emphasized by sticking out her tongue in disgust, the children doing the same.
“Say, do you want to come with us?”
“Yes, yes!” The children said, eagerly.
“I thought so,” The siren said, smiling.
Then, Adagio started singing and danced in a sensual way.
And then the Sirens sang in unison:
The boys got very excited and swayed side to side to the beat.
Adagio approached a boy, brushing his hair.
And suddenly, Adagio gave a kiss on the boy’s cheek making him turn red.
The sirens proceed to march, with the boys following them as the Siren Leader sang the next verse.
Then the boys sang along.
“Hurry up, children,” Adagio said. “The coach leaves at midnight. You don’t want to be late, do you?”
The Dazzlings and boys were close to the coach’s location, where the Coachman himself is waiting.
By the time they arrived at the coach, the song ended. The children couldn’t wait to go to Pleasure Island, as they eagerly stepped inside the coach.
“Careful, children,” Adagio said. “One at a time.”
The Coachman approached the sirens, watching the kids hop on.
“Well, I’m very impressed. You three have done well.”
“Ah, yes,” Adagio said, flicking her hair. “We’re that good.”
“When we get to Pleasure Island, I’ll pay you three handsomely,” The Coachman said. “I’ll give that fox and cat their payment when I meet them. They’re too scared to go to the island.”
“I’m a little scared too,” Sonata admits.
“Don’t be.”
Suddenly, the Coachman saw Honest John and Gideon with three companions.
“Alright, step inside the coach. There’s room enough.”
“C’mon, girls,” Adagio said, as the three stepped in.
The Mane Six, Spike and Jiminy ran as fast as they could. But by the time they found the children, it was too late.
“Everypony, here!” Twilight said, hiding behind a wall.
Peeking their heads behind the wall, they saw the fox and cat carrying Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps. They all stood in front of a coach loaded with other children. The fox and cat were talking to a strange man in a red coat.
“What are those two varmints up to this time?” Applejack asked, suspiciously.
“And who is that guy?” Rainbow asked.
“I don’t know,” Twilight said.
“I don’t think I like him,” Fluttershy said, nervously.
They watch Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps hop onto the coach. The Coachman gave the fox and cat two big bags each. The two tricksters looked very happy.
“What’s in those bags?” Rarity asked.
“Ah’m not sure,” Applejack said, glaring. “But ah think ah have an idea what.”
“I’m going onto that coach and see if I can reason with them,” Jiminy said.
“What?” Applejack said. “Jiminy, we’re stayin’ together!”
“Wait, Applejack,” Twilight said. “Let him go.”
“Try to find a way to reach me,” Jiminy yelled. “I’ll meet you there!”
Jiminy hops toward the coach without anyone seeing him, as he snuck himself onboard. The Coachman salutes the fox and the cat before climbing up, sitting next to Pinocchio and the two foals, all three of them sitting next to one of the boys. This boy had red hair and buckteeth, his outfit consist of a formal brown jacket and yellow vest with a green ascot over his white shirt, complemented by olive-green pants with suspenders and a pair of brown shoes. He also wore a bowler hat with a single feather in it.
The coach was pulled by donkeys, and with one crack of the Coachman’s whip they pulled the coach. Departing the village, the children yelled and cheered as the ponies could only watch the children disappear in the distance.
“They’re leaving,” Rainbow said.
“We don’t even know where they’re going,” Spike points out. “We’ll never get them back.”
The whole time, Applejack eyed the animal tricksters, the pair were about to leave with their bags.
“Don’t speak too soon, Spike. Follow me!”
Leaving their hiding spot, they silently drew closer to the fox and the cat. The two con artists were enjoying their reward to notice.
“Ha-ha-ha! Can you believe it, Giddy?” Honest John said. “We’re rich! Too bad for those kids, though. Oh well, who needs them anyway? I only regret not getting the chance to know that Adagio girl better. I’d have like to ask her for a date.”
Gideon nodded in response.
“I just can’t believe those three fell for it… Again!” Honest John laughed. “Now then, let’s go home and enjoy our fortune.”
But suddenly, Gideon was grabbed and hoist into the air by something blue, dropping the bags in the process. The fox was so distracted, he didn’t see.
“What do you think, Giddy?”
The fox turned back to his friend, but saw he wasn’t there.
“Gideon?”
The fox looked around but couldn’t find him anywhere.
“Giddy? Where are you? This isn’t funny!”
“You’re right, it isn’t!” A female voice said behind him.
The fox turned around and stood face-to-face with an orange pony with a cowboy hat.
“What the—”
Before he could finish his sentence, the pony delivered a hard buck sending him crashing against a wall.
“Ow!” He grunts.
It wasn’t over for the fox, when the orange pony ran at him and held him against the wall. She stared at the fox with hate in her eyes.
“Where are they?” Applejack said, in a threatening voice.
“Another talking pony?” The fox asked, avoiding the question.
“I SAID WHERE ARE THEY?!” Applejack yelled.
Honest John gritted his teeth from her loud tone.
“Where are ‘who’?”
“You know exactly who ah’m talking about! Where is that coach going?”
“Wait! Are you the big sister Apple Bloom talked about?”
“QUIET! You’re not worthy to speak her name!”
“Applejack!” Another voice yelled.
The fox saw five other ponies and a little lizard guy approach. Rainbow held Gideon tight, as his partner struggled.
“Well, what do you know?” Honest John observed. “There really are other ponies in town.”
Applejack punched her hoof to the wall next to Honest John, so hard a tiny crack formed. The fox gulped nervously as he returned his attention to the cowpony.
“Answer mah questions!” Applejack demands, glaring.
“Look, little lady. Maybe we haven’t been properly introduced. I’m…”
“We know exactly who you are, ‘Honest John’,” Applejack interrupted. “If that’s your real name.”
“Um, actually my real name is…”
“Who do you think you are tricking innocent children and people for money?!” Applejack interrupted, again. “You tell me where that coach is goin’ or so help me I’ll buck your face till all your teeth fall out!”
“Forget it, A.J.,” Rainbow said. “If he doesn’t wanna talk, we can ask his friend.”
Rainbow glared toward Gideon, who was making a fuss trying to break the hold.
“Alright, cat, tell me where our friends are!”
But suddenly, Gideon pushed her arms off and took out his mallet in an attack position. He began to swing it wildly, while Rainbow tried to avoid it.
“Hey! Whoa! Oh, tough guy, eh?”
The cyan Pegasus flew circles around Gideon, who eyed the pony though the speed made him dizzy. But then he prepared his mallet again, spinning around and actually hit Rainbow sending her smashing against another wall. Confident, the cat moved closer raising his mallet over his head. The other ponies saw what he was doing. At the moment, just when Gideon was prepped to smash Rainbow, Rarity used her magic to grab the mallet. Gideon attacked Rainbow but saw the mallet wasn’t in his hands. Confused, he looked around, and slowly looked up. Rarity used the mallet to hit Gideon on the head with one hard thud. Gideon got very dizzy and fell on his back.
“You… Are one bad kitty,” Rarity said.
Pinkie peeked inside the bags, finding a pile of golden coins.
“Ooh, shiny!”
Pinkie tossed one of the bags to Applejack, who saw the coins slip out.
“Ah knew it!” She confirmed, turning back to Honest John. “Alright foxy, you saw what us ponies can do! Now, tell us where mah baby sister and friends are! Ah’ll know if you’re lyin’.”
“Forget it,” Honest John shook his head. “I’m not telling anything and there’s nothing you can do to make me. That buck and that punch to the wall wasn’t that intimidating.”
“WHAT?!”
Applejack began to boil from the inside, her whole body turning red… But surprisingly, she slowly calmed down with a smile.
“That’s alright.”
“Wait, what?” He asked, his eyes wide.
“I said, ‘it’s alright’,” Applejack said, before glaring. “We have other methods to get information.”
Every pony turned to the cute, innocent yellow Pegasus who joined their adventures for years. She just faced her friends, left-and-right, seemingly oblivious.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Fluttershy asked, nervously.
“Fluttershy,” Applejack said. “It’s time you use that stare of yours.”
“What? Oh no! I don’t know if I can. I mostly use it for disobeying animals.”
“He is an animal, Fluttershy,” Pinkie points out.
“Come on, Fluttershy,” Spike urged. “It’s our only chance.”
Fluttershy faced her friends and sighed.
“Okay.”
She approaches Honest John, who found this amusing.
“Ha-ha-ha! Seriously? What makes her so scary?”
But he spoke too soon. Fluttershy closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again so wide she stared into the fox’s soul. Honest John’s eyes went wide, as if something overtook his body: An uncontrollable fear, just like when he saw the smiles of Adagio and the Coachman.
“No, no, NO!” He shouted. “Make her stop! PLEASE, MAKE HER STOP!”
“You want her to stop?” Twilight asked. “Tell us where the coach is going.”
“Never!” The fox shouts, trying to stay strong.
“Keep doing it, Flutters!” Rainbow ordered.
Fluttershy stared harder, the fox almost wanted to kill himself.
"NOOOOOOO! Okay, you win! I'll tell! I'll tell! Please, make her stop!"
Fluttershy stopped her stare, as John breathed in shock.
“They’re going to Pleasure Island,” Honest John answered, breathless.
“What is that?” Twilight asked.
“Sounds like fun,” Pinkie said.
“It’s an island in the middle of the ocean,” The fox explains. “The Coachman gathers stupid little boys in his coach and brings them there, promising they can have the time of their lives!”
“Stupid little boys?” Twilight asked.
“The boys who disobey their parents, the bullies with no interest in school!”
The whole time Applejack looked in his eyes, tears streaming down his face.
“He’s telling the truth,” She confirms.
“If what he says is true,” Spike figured. “A place like ‘Pleasure Island’ can’t be dangerous.”
Twilight pondered everything Honest John said, as he faced the little dragon.
“You think it isn’t ‘dangerous’?” The fox asked, darkly. “Oh, you don’t even know what happens on that island, the longer you stay. Once you go there, you never come back.”
“What happens there?” Twilight asked.
“I can’t tell.”
“Fluttershy,” Twilight turned to her.
Fluttershy was about to do the ‘Stare’ again, when Honest John frantically waved his arms begging on his knees.
“NO! No, please! Not again! I really can’t tell you; it’s too much!”
Applejack glared at him until she sighs.
“Fine.”
“Oh, thank you,” Honest John sighs with relief.
“Not so fast, partner,” Applejack said. “You’re showin’ us the way to Pleasure Island.”
“Ye… What?! Oh no. I’m not going there!”
“Tough love, baby,” Twilight said, glaring. “You’re coming with us and, so help Celestia, if you try something sneaky…”
Twilight’s horn glows, the fox knew he was defeated and didn’t resist.
“Now how are we going to catch that coach?” Applejack asked.
Pinkie Pie looks around till she found something that made her smile.
“Does any pony want a ride on the ‘Wooden Cart Express’?”
They turned toward Pinkie’s direction, noticing the wooden cart in a corner.
“Good job, Pinkie!” Rainbow said.
They all ran toward the cart, Twilight hopping inside.
“Rainbow, you and Applejack pull the cart,” Twilight instructs. “The rest of us will keep an eye on these two.”
Twilight kept an eye on Honest John and Gideon, while Rainbow and Applejack attached themselves to the cart ready to go.
“Alright, buster,” Twilight confronts Honest John. “Which way?”
“To the right!” Honest John pointed.
The ponies and dragon were very watchful, as Rainbow and Applejack ran while pulling the cart. The town was far behind them as they raced to rescue the children.
“Don’t worry, kids!” Pinkie shouted. “We’re coming for you! And if you can hear me, you still need to apologize for breaking your Pinkie Promise!”
(Play music at 1:08)
Meanwhile, the Coachman’s coach took off at a fast pace. The children, who couldn’t wait to have the fun they longed for, cheered loudly while the Coachman whipped the donkeys.
“Giddyap!” The Coachman cried.
Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps were actually excited. The buckteeth boy next to them used a slingshot to hit the donkeys with rocks. What they didn’t know was that their little cricket friend hung with his umbrella on a lantern just below the coach. The poor little guy was coughing dust from all the running.
“Well, here we go again,” He looked into the camera.
At the moment, the buckteeth boy faced the puppet and two foals.
“Talking horses, huh? Cool!”
“Thanks,” Apple Bloom said. “But we’re ponies not horses.”
“It’s a common mistake,” Tender Taps added.
The boy spat in another direction before facing them again.
“My name’s Lampwick,” The boy introduced himself. “What’s yours?”
“Pinocchio,” The puppet introduced, tipping his hat.
“Ah’m Apple Bloom,” The little filly greeted.
“And my name’s Tender Taps,” The little foal said.
Lampwick shot another rock at the donkeys before talking again.
“Ever been to Pleasure Island?”
“Uh-uh,” Pinocchio shook his head.
“It’s our first time,” Apple Bloom said, showing the card. “But Mr. Honest John gave us—”
“Me neither,” Lampwick interrupted. “But those three girls say it’s a swell joint. No school, no cops. You can tear the joint apart, and nobody says a word.”
The Coachman listened to the buckteeth boy and couldn’t help but smile deviously while whipping the donkeys.
“Honest John gave us—” Pinocchio said.
“Loaf around, plenty to eat, plenty to drink,” Lampwick interrupted. “And it’s all free!”
“Honest John—” Apple Bloom began.
“Boy, that’s the place,” Lampwick interrupted, once more. “I can hardly wait!”
He nudged against Apple Bloom and Pinocchio, shooting another rock at the donkeys with his slingshot. The kids gave up and decided to just enjoy the ride.
The coach was getting close to their location while the Coachman whipped the donkeys. They crossed a bridge through a cave, till they arrived at a pier where a big boat with more boys was waiting to depart. The coach stopped, allowing everyone to board the boat.
(Pause at 2:02)
In the meantime, the ponies ran as fast as they could. While tugging the cart, Rainbow saw the coach go into the cave.
“There it is!” Rainbow shouts.
“Faster!” Twilight calls out.
“We’re going as fast as we can!” Applejack shouted back.
“There’s where you need to go,” The fox points out. “There’s a pier on the other side of the cave, with a boat that brings you to the island. You’re not seriously taking me and Gideon all the way to that island, are you?”
“You bet we do,” Applejack said, not looking back.
“Please, not that! Anything but that! I’ll even give you this bag of gold if you’d just let us go!”
Gideon nodded pleadingly.
“You can’t persuade us with your dirty money,” Rarity glared.
But suddenly, Applejack and Rainbow stopped the cart. Honest John and Gideon crashed into the other ponies and nearly fell out.
“Why are you stopping?” Twilight asked.
“Because we have a better idea,” Rainbow said, turning with a sly smile.
A few seconds later, Honest John and Gideon were tied to a tree. Applejack pulled the rope tightly with her teeth, while the con artists groaned.
“That’ll hold ya,” Applejack said, satisfied.
“You can’t leave us here,” Honest John argued. “It’s dark and cold out here.”
“Don’t worry,” Pinkie Pie said, patting John’s head. “You won’t be outside for long once the police finds you.”
“THE POLICE?!” Honest John shouts, fearfully. “No! Not the police! You can’t do this!
“Unless you’d prefer to take your chances with Stromboli,” Rainbow points out.
“NO! THAT’S EVEN WORSE!” Honest John cried.
Gideon struggles to break free from the ropes, even though it was in vain.
“Either way, it’s more than you two deserve,” Rainbow said. “You’re staying here while we rescue our friends. We’ll decide what to do with this money later.”
“No, wait!’ Honest John yells. “Don’t leave me!”
"Have a great time in the ‘big house’,” Applejack said.
The ponies and dragon soon left the two while the fox kept yelling, all while the cat eventually gave up. They ran with the cart through the cave till they reached the pier. But by the time they got there, the boat already left. It was too late… Or was it?
“They’re already out on the ocean,” Rainbow said.
Applejack looked at her cart, and it gave her an idea.
“Alright, every pony. Let’s tear this cart apart.”
“Why?” Twilight asked.
“Trust me, Twilight,” Applejack said, turning to Pinkie. “Ah don’t suppose you got any sugar pine sap in that mane of yours, do ya?”
"Are you kidding me?” Pinkie asked, grabbing a bucket of tree sap from her hair. “Never leave without taking the necessities.”
It took a few minutes to break the cart apart. Twilight and Rarity used their magic to place the boards on different spot. With some tree sap and rope, the cart turned into a seaworthy raft.
“Applejack, you’re a genius!” Twilight said, hugging her friend.
“Alright, gals,” Applejack said. “Let’s go save Pinocchio, Tender and mah sister!”
(Continue music)
They all stepped inside the raft, while Rainbow and Fluttershy pushed. Soon they were close to the boat, which was surrounded by passing seagulls. They drifted far away from the village until they reached an island. They followed the big boat inside an opening with no trouble. After a few moments, the boat reached its destination before a large gate with a drawbridge. The bridge came down and the gate opened, as bright light shone, and fireworks could be seen.
(Repeat music from 2:26 to 2:42)
The children cheered joyfully, immediately stepping off the boat and rushed toward the gate. The Coachman waited there, seeing the happy children pass by. He couldn’t help but smile, welcoming them.
Pleasure Island was one big amusement park with a roller coaster, a carousel and even a Ferris Wheel. There was a tube releasing balloons, and one big balloon shaped like a policeman. Nearby, a big animatronic clown’s head began to speak:
“Right here, boys! Right here! Get your cake, pie, dill pickles and ice cream. Eat all you can. Be a glutton. Stuff yourselves. It’s all free, boys. It’s all free. Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry!”
As the children merged through the gate, the Dazzlings looked around, surprised with the place.
“Wow!” Sonata said, in awe.
“No way!” Aria said, eyes widen.
“I know, it ‘is’ special,” Adagio nodded.
Adagio watched the children run between her and her friends.
“Look at them, girls,” She faked being nice. “These little cuties can’t wait to have the night of their lives… Too bad they don’t know the real surprise later tonight.”
That last sentence Adagio smiled evilly, while the other girls chuckled. But then Adagio motioned them silent with her hands looking around.
“Come on, girls. Let’s gather some negative energy from that place called ‘The Rough House’.”
They walked through the amusement park, ready to feed. But right now, our attention is drawn toward the wharf. Twilight’s head pops up along with six more cute heads surrounding her.
“You know, it’s kind of cute when we’re close like this,” Pinkie replied.
“We got to get in there without that Coachman seeing us,” Twilight said.
She watched a group of boys just coming from the boat.
“Let’s walk along with those boys, while the Coachman is too busy. Follow me!”
They ran and blended alongside a crowd of kids walking inside. Luckily, the Coachman didn’t see them. By the time the ponies and dragon reached the entrance of Pleasure Island, they couldn’t believe what they saw.
“Wow!” They all said in unison.
“This ‘is’ Paradise,” Rainbow gasped.
Twilight looked around with a focused glare. She didn’t trust this place, not one bit.
“Remember, we came her to get Pinocchio, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps back, and nothing else. Understand?”
While every pony nodded, they somehow seemed distracted.
“Let’s go that way,” Twilight pointed, walking further.
(Music at 2:45)
Meanwhile, a lot of children went inside a tent and fought each other. An animatronic tough guy with a club spoke with a voice reminiscent of a certain sailor who eats spinach:
“The Rough House. The Rough House. It’s the roughest toughest joint ya ever seen. Come in and pick a fight, boys.”
Lampwick, Pinocchio and the two foals were just passing by the tent. Lampwick was eating a whole roast chicken, Pinocchio had a pie and ice cream, and the two foals had ice cream and lollipops. Lampwick heard the animatronic man.
“Oh, boy, a scrap!” He said excitedly, throwing the chicken away. “Come on, let’s go in and poke somebody in the nose.”
“Why?” Pinocchio asked.
“Ah, just for the fun of it,” Lampwick replied, walking inside.
“Okay, Lampy,” Pinocchio said, tossing his pie and ice cream away.
Pinocchio almost went inside, when Apple Bloom stopped him.
“Wait a minute, Pinoke! Are ya sure you want to do this? Fighting sounds, uh…”
“Bad?” Tender asked.
“Yeah, that’s the word ah’m lookin’ for.”
“If Lampy says ‘it’s fun’, I wanna try it,” Pinocchio said, going inside.
“Pinocchio, wait!” Apple Bloom called.
“Let’s follow him, but be careful,” Tender said, entering the tent.
Little did the foals know, while the boys were fighting, a strange green fog appeared beneath them. Just as the Sirens wanted, the fog rolled inside their gems while they vocalized.
“Ah, I’ve missed this,” Adagio smiled.
“We’ll be strong again,” Sonata said, looking around. ‘Hey, can we go on one of the attractions after this? I hope there’s a taco stand!”
“Are you crazy?” Adagio argued. “You wanna get stuck here, forever? No, we should collect our reward and get out of here.”
Sonata pouts with puppy-dog eyes. One look and Adagio couldn’t resist, eventually giving up.
“Alright, fine. But ONE ride, then we get our reward.”
Sonata smiled and hugged Adagio, who took it against her will.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the park, the Mane Six and Spike investigated the attractions for their friends.
“Pinocchio!” Twilight yelled.
“Apple Bloom!” Applejack yelled.
“Jiminy!” Pinkie yelled.
“Tender!” Rarity yelled. “Where could they be?”
“Keep looking, girls,” Rainbow said. “They could be anywhere.”
Twilight faced the Ferris Wheel, watching children falling from their seats. Luckily, they were caught by other children.
“Did you see that?” Twilight pointed out, worriedly. “Those children almost killed themselves, and no pony says anything or stops them.”
“That’s not the only bad thing,” Rainbow noted. “I saw a tent where boys were beating each other.”
“That doesn’t sound nice… Or safe,” Fluttershy said, nervously.
“Ah hope Apple Bloom and the others aren’t in that tent,” Applejack said, looking there.
Suddenly, one boy fell from his seat in the Ferris Wheel, but this time no one grabbed him in time. Twilight gasped at the sight and used her magic to stop the boy’s fall. The boy was confused, as Twilight slowly lowered him and released him until he sat on the ground. But then he cheered and laughed.
“Yeah! Again, again!”
Twilight couldn’t believe seeing the boy rush back to the Ferris Wheel.
“We need to find them and fast!” Twilight declared, walking further.
In another section of the park, some animatronic Indians with big pipes threw cigars from boxes to the children. They couldn’t wait to have one.
“Tobacco Row. Tobacco Row,” An announcer said. “Get your cigars, cigarettes and chewin’ tobacco. Come in and smoke your heads off. There’s nobody here to stop you.”
The children went crazy trying to grab one. One child broke one of the cigar boxes, sending cigars everywhere. It was there Jiminy Cricket was searching for Pinocchio and the foals himself.
“Pinocchio! Apple Bloom! Tender!” He shouts, coughing smoke and dodging feet and shoes of the boys. “Pinocchio! There’s something’… Phoney about all this. I gotta get them outta here!”
Some of the ponies just reached Tobacco Row, continuing their search.
“Apple Bloom!” Rainbow yelled.
“Pinocchio!” Applejack yelled.
“Pino…” Twilight began, then gasped. “What are they doing?!”
The unicorn/alicorn ran quickly toward a boy who was about to light a cigar, but she was quick enough to grab it with her magic.
“Hey!” The boy yelled.
“What do you think you’re doing, young man?” Twilight asked, strictly. “Don’t you know it’s dangerous to smoke? You’re not even of legal age!”
“They said we can smoke our heads off!” The boy argued.
He reached to grab the cigar, but Twilight held it high in the air.
“No, you can’t! Don’t listen to them; cigars are bad!”
“You can’t tell me what to do! You’re not my mama!”
“I’m trying to help you!”
But the boy wouldn’t listen. Instead he grabbed another cigar off the ground. He blew Twilight a raspberry and ran off into the crowd. Twilight’s eye twitched, couldn’t believe the behavior, and was about to explode.
“ARE YOU BOYS CRAZY?!” She shouted.
Her voice echoed causing every boy to stop and face her, even Jiminy Cricket heard it. The boys silently looked at the ponies.
“Hey!” One boy shouted. “Who wants to play ‘pin the tail on the pony’?!”
“I wanna ride the blue one!” Another boy shouted.
The other boys cheered and rushed toward them, their eyes becoming small as pinpricks.
“RUUUUN!!!” Rainbow yelled, running away.
But Twilight and Applejack held their ground, prepared for the worst.
(Pause at 3:19)
During that time, the Dazzlings approach the gate where the Coachman stood waiting. He smiled when he saw them arrive.
“I can’t thank you girls enough,” The Coachman replied, handing them three bags of gold. “Here’s your reward, as promised.”
“Oh boy, I could buy a whole bunch of tacos with this,” Sonata said, then gasped. “Maybe I can finally start my own taco shop!”
Aria and Adagio rolled their eyes.
“That’s wonderful news,” Aria said, sarcastically.
“You’re very welcome, Coachman,” Adagio bowed.
“If I ever need more, you can always help if you want,” The Coachman said. “I’ll pay you more for every bunch.”
“A tempting offer, but we have some business of our own. To find Equestrian magic while it’s still here.”
“I’d come along as gratitude for your help, but I’m busy at the moment.”
Suddenly, the Coachman got an idea and smiled maliciously.
“But there is one way I can help you,” He said, before turning around and whistled. “Hey, you five! Come here!”
With one crack of his whip, five creatures with glowing eyes, completely covered in black fur, suddenly came toward their master.
“Here, take them.”
“What are those?” Aria asked.
“These are some of my goons. They do everything I say, but these five will obey your every command.”
“Our own personal goons?” Adagio thought, with an evil smile. “Now we are getting somewhere.”
“Maybe they can help in your search for this powerful magic,” The Coachman said, giving another whip crack to the creatures. “Listen up: You five will obey their every command. Understood?”
These ‘Shadow Beasts’ knelt down and bowed before their new mistresses.
“Thank you,” Adagio said. “This means a lot.”
“There’s a small boat along the wharf,” The Coachman offered. “I normally use it in case something happens, but now it’s for you.”
“Good luck with your business,” Adagio said, shaking the Coachman’s hand.
The girls soon left the gate, walking toward the wharf with their new minions following their every step.
“Isn’t this great?” Sonata said.
“It sure is,” Aria said, smiling in satisfaction. “We now have our own servants.”
“For the first time in our lives,” Adagio declared. “Things are going perfect.”
Suddenly, Adagio saw a raft along the wharf. It gave her a puzzling thought.
“Hey, Dagi!” Sonata said.
Her friend’s shout broke the Siren leader out of her thoughts.
“What is it now, Sonata?”
“When we go on the boat, shall we take a nice swim in the ocean? Like the old days?”
Adagio thought about it, imagining how long it’s been before they were banished. Some years ago, without question, the one thing they enjoyed as much as singing.
“We should be feeding on the negative energy from ponies,” Adagio said, then smiled. “But I’m really in for a nice swim, since it’s been so long. For once, Sonata, I agree with your idea.”
Sonata smiled brightly at that answer.
Back at Tobacco Row, the boys were on the ground while Twilight and Applejack stood their ground, breathing heavily while Twilight’s horn glowed. The boys grunted in pain, some even unconscious.
“That’ll teach you,” Twilight said, her horn fading.
“We didn’t overdo it, did we?” Applejack asked.
“Of course not, a simple ‘barrier push’ spell wouldn’t hurt a dragon.”
“Those boys acted like bullies,” Fluttershy observed.
“That’s because they are bullies!” A familiar voice shouts.
The ponies looked around until they see Jiminy Cricket, hopping toward them.
“Jiminy!” Twilight said.
“You made it!” Jiminy said.
“It wasn’t easy to reach the island,” Applejack replied. “But we did.”
“What about Honest John and that cat?” The cricket asked.
“Don’t worry about them,” Twilight assured. “They’re going to have a new home… Behind bars.”
Suddenly, a familiar pink pony approached the group. She carried lots of food in her hooves, while munching on cotton candy.
“Hey, guys! Look what I got!” She yelled, with a big smile. “Isn’t this amazing? Fried food on a stick! And it’s all free!”
“Pinkie!” Twilight panicked. “Put that away!”
“Why?” Pinkie asked, taking a huge bite of cotton candy. “There’s nothing wrong with it.”
It didn’t take long before Spike arrived.
“Hey, Twilight can we go on the roller coaster!” He pointed with his claws. “Please? Please?”
“I’d love to go on the roller coaster!” Rainbow said.
“I wouldn’t mind going on the carousel… If I can,” Fluttershy thought.
The ponies and dragon rambled on and on, until Twilight couldn’t take it anymore.
“NO!!!!” She shouted, causing every pony to be quiet. “What has gotten into you today?! Something isn’t right here; don’t you see it?! What kind of amusement park is this?! They allow children to fight each other, no pony is watching them while they fall and hurt themselves on the attractions. And worst of all: They’re smoking CIGARS for Celestia’s sake!”
“Those aren’t the only worse things,” Pinkie said.
“You mean there’s something even worse?” Twilight asked.
“Well, yeah… That.”
Pinkie pointed behind Twilight, who turned around and gasped.
(Continue music)
A crowd of boys rushed toward a big house. The ponies saw the name of this particular attraction: “Model Home, Open for Destruction.”
“Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry! See the model home!” An announcer spoke. “It’s open for destruction, and it’s all yours, boys! It’s all yours!”
The boys were breaking everything: Pots with plants, statues, a grand piano, everything they found in and outside the house. Inside, Lampwick, Pinocchio and the foals seemed to enjoy themselves. Lampwick scratched a match on a Mona Lisa painting to light his cigar.
“What’d I tell ya?” Lampwick asked. “Ain’t this a swell joint?”
“It’s… Something, ah guess,” Apple Bloom looked around.
“Yeah! Bein’ bad’s a lot of fun, ain’t it?” Pinocchio asked, holding an axe.
“Yeah, uh-huh,” Lampwick said, grabbing a brick.
“I’m not sure about that,” Tender said.
“Hey, get a load of that stained-glass window,” Lampwick said.
He hurled the brick toward the window, shattering it to pieces before the foals eyes.
Outside, the ponies approached the house cautiously. They never knew if something heavy could fall on them.
“Remember girls,” Twilight said. “We have to be very, very…”
Suddenly, something smashed through the stained-glass window toward the ponies. Luckily, the brick only landed within an inch.
“Careful,” Twilight finished, wide eyed.
“This is just uncalled for!” Rarity yelled.
“I know,” Spike nodded. “We could have been killed.”
“Not that, Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity said, looking at the shattered window. “Those hooligans are destroying beautiful pieces of art. Of all the worst things that could happen, this is the… Worst… Possible… Thing!”
Rarity began to faint and fell on her back. Fluttershy waved her hoof in front of her friend’s face, while Applejack hoof-palmed her face.
(Music at 3:43)
After the Dazzlings left, the Coachman had been watching the boys to see if everything is going according to plan. Then he turns his attention to the gate where more of those black creatures were waiting for his orders.
“Alright now, hop to it, you blokes!”
One crack of his whip, and the Coachman’s goons began to close the large doors.
“Come on, come on! Shut the doors and lock ‘em tight. Now get below and get them crates ready.”
With that done, the Coachman, once again, focused on the boys having loads of fun.
“Give a bad boy enough rope and he’ll soon make a jackass of himself.”
Then he chuckled darkly, but the question is: What now?
(Stop music at 4:07)